MARCH 26, 2025 - The Freedom Farm Fire. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — UPDATE: News 13's Marc Liverman reports that according to West Buncombe Fire Chief Dennis Fagnant, the Freedom Farm Fire in the Leicester area of Buncombe County has officially reached 130 acres and 60% containment.
While firefighters work to get control of multiple wildfires across Western North Carolina, they now have a better hold on one wildfire in Buncombe County.
Crews continue working to control the Freedom Farm Fire, which has burned at least 130 acres with 60% containment in Leicester and the blaze is no longer threatening homes.
The fire initially erupted Wednesday afternoon in the Leicester and Dix Creek communities. More than 80 firefighters battled the fire when it was dangerously close to homes.
West Buncombe Fire Chief Dennis Fagnant said within 24 hours, crews were able to save five structures in immediate danger along with 22 homes that they prepped.
Firefighters also had help from a Chinook helicopter, dropping water overhead.
“While no firefighter likes to use the terminology heroic, the actions that the firefighters took yesterday (Wednesday) were in fact. They were aggressive in attacking the fire, establishing the fire lines which allowed us to get ahead of this fire,” Chief Fagnant said.
The fire has scorched a significant portion of land, with smoke still lingering in the area. The North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer says that as of noon Thursday, the fire has burned approximately 127 acres and is 20% contained.
LIVE UPDATES (MARCH 27) | CRUSO WILDFIRE GROWS, EVACUATION ORDERED IN PART OF SALUDA
In a Facebook post on Thursday morning, the Leicester Fire Department reported that crews remain on the scene of the fire and are collaborating with the West Buncombe Fire Department.
The department also confirmed that North Carolina Forest Service crews are conducting backburn operations to reinforce fire lines.
Firefighters from multiple departments including the NC Forest Service were faced with added fuel from Helene along with lumber left behind from the former Canton paper mill’s logging operation.
“Our fire lines had to be much bigger so that created a lot more time and really without the help of two dozers, we likely wouldn’t have been able to get ahead of this fire. It would have burned a lot more acreage,” Fagnant said.
CODE PURPLE ISSUED IN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY: 'VERY UNHEALTHY' AIR QUALITY
The department initially said no evacuation orders were anticipated; however, at around noon on Thursday, the department stated the following via Facebook post:
"Due to increased spot fires in the last half hour, a volunteer evacuation order has been sent out for Hayes Cove area."
Then at 5:30 p.m. the department said the following via Facebook post:
"The voluntary evacuation order for Hayes Cove area will be lifted effective at 5:30 p.m. today March 27th."
BLACK COVE COMPLEX FIRE IN POLK COUNTY BECOMES 'HIGHEST-PRIORITY FIRE' IN USA
Donnie Ross, a homeowner on Freedom Farm Road, praised the efforts of the fire crews working to contain the blaze.
"They stayed there all night and made sure that the fire wouldn't get too close and they did some backburns around our property to make sure that there was nothing to feed the fuel," Ross said.
Fagnant is still reminding residents to be proactive.
“We got to urge our residents to make that defensible space around their homes, keep the leaves off, keep the trees trimmed back because as fire moves especially in the conditions that we see today, sometimes the fire moves too quick, and we won’t have that time to help protect their homes.”
The public is asked to refrain from operating private drones in the area, to prevent any interference with drones or aircraft used by U.S. Forest Service crews.
Stay updated with fires burning across western North Carolina at this link.
This story will be updated.